Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Solano County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
19 issues in public safety with medium priority
Quarterly fire protection district meetings
The Board was scheduled to sit as the governing boards of the East Vallejo, Montezuma, Suisun, and Vacaville Fire Protection Districts for their quarterly meetings.
Justice Campus flood gates
The board approved $4.9 million to start Phase 1 of security upgrades at the downtown Fairfield justice campus.
Fire district cost-of-living raises
Suisun, Vacaville, and Montezuma Fire District employees get 3% cost-of-living raises, and the interim fire chief's salary range jumps to nearly $10,500 a month — with a permanent chief hire discussion to come back to the board.
Vacaville Fire Protection District FEMA grants
The district accepted $709K in FEMA grants to buy a new water tender and a PPE extractor, retiring a 1971 water tender.
Fall prevention services for seniors
With about 110,000 seniors in the county and falls the leading cause of injury death for people 65-plus, agencies described free programs providing grab bars, ramps and in-home safety assessments — though funding lapses have already forced one program to shut down temporarily.
Culturally informed suicide prevention for Native communities
A retired tribal caseworker told the Board suicide is the second leading cause of death in Native American communities and urged mental health services that reflect historical trauma and cultural context. The county's new public health-led prevention program pledged community-based coalition work.
Car seat safety grant
A $140,000 state grant funds the Solano Car Seat Connection program for another year, helping families get and correctly install car seats.
Substance use treatment expansion grant
The county accepted $665,150 in state Proposition 36 funding to expand community-based substance use treatment and recovery support through March 2028.
Healthcare employee retention concerns
A physician assistant warned that scrapped retention bonuses, missing lab services, and contract negotiations could push healthcare workers out and delay patient care.
Emergency preparedness for power outages and extreme heat
A Vacaville resident described a 25-hour power outage with no cooling centers or timely public information, asking the county to improve notifications and support for seniors during outages and heat waves.
Advanced life support response at Sandy Beach
A resident urged the Board to make paramedic-staffed fire departments the automatic first response to medical calls at Sandy Beach.
Human Trafficking Task Force Effort
Supervisor James reported progress toward a Solano County Human Trafficking Task Force, with law enforcement and community partners planning follow-up meetings in the coming months.
District Attorney Investigator classification update
The county wants to update the job specs for DA Investigators and Supervising Investigators, loosening the education requirement to accept relevant coursework like psychology, sociology, and corrections alongside criminal justice degrees. That could widen the hiring pool for the DA's office investigative staff.
Ambulance contract RFP back on track
After delays and appeals, the county's ambulance services procurement is moving again, with the Medic Ambulance contract extended to December 1 to avoid service gaps.
Receivership actions for Winters properties
The board authorized county attorneys to pursue receivership — a court process to take control of chronically neglected properties — for 8425 Winters Road and 8338 Tubbs Road in Winters.
Senior PEAS program funding loss
Public commenters warned that the Prevention and Early Access for Seniors (PEAS) program lost funding. It's described as a cost-effective program serving vulnerable older adults.
Medic Ambulance franchise fee increase
Medic Ambulance extended its county contract through December 2026 and will pay $50,000 more a year in franchise fees — money the county keeps from the ambulance service operating locally.
Criminal justice grants and emergency preparedness resources
The county accepted a $440,601 holistic defense grant adding a mental health clinician, joined the $238,077 JAG equipment and training program, and took in emergency preparedness kits and CERT supplies from San Francisco.
Youth mental health services contract
The county expanded its contract with Victor Community Support Services to $2 million to provide intensive mental health services to children, youth and young adults through June 2026, funded largely by Behavioral Health Services Act revenue.